Very true. I've cut back a little on the weigh ins. I just feel so grateful to be able to eat a little better and feel calmer. Thank you so much for your care!!

Today was a so so day. I felt ok and hungry, but a little nausea late in the day. Still, I am so much better than I was last week and even earlier this week! So grateful for all the advice and loving care in this group!! Thank you!!

That's how it usually is.

The progress is a wiggly line of ups and downs day-to-day, but when you zoom out and look at the progress over the past 2 months instead of past 3 days, the wiggly line will be leading upward.

Since this yo yo pattern is common - usually mine is kind of a monthly thing, 4 horrible weeks, back to rice, oatmeal, raisins, and tea; I feel better, I start to eat more normally, good for about a month, then, crash, and start all over - I was wondering if people who have experienced solid "vertical" improvement could give their opinion here -

At what time after you have been feeling well can you start to expand your options a bit? My problem is I always think, "Maybe I'm healed?" And then, of course, I never am.

When does a false positive tend to start turning into a real positive?

P.S. - Cheers to you Donica. I know exactly what you're going through (it's like reading my own mind), as everyone here certainly does. I too am still learning how to deal with this, and I've had it for a year. You're not alone!

P.P.S. - Shihonage is totally right about the distraction advice. I had deja vu reading his remarks on the subject.

I swear to God if I had a real 9-to-5 job I would have been fired by now (very luckily I am a postdoc, so I mostly work at home anyway - but that won't last forever). I feel horrible for those who have to endure this working in the real world - I honestly can't fathom how you do it. I had to teach a class once while I was having a gastritis attack and it was one of the worst experiences of my life. Hot flashes, intense waves of nausea, anxiety and panic, my mind couldn't focus on my words or thoughts. Very lucky I wrote my lecture out and just turned my eyes and read it.

In any case, distraction has been ESSENTIAL to my maintaining my sanity. I have to lay back on my couch with the AC or a fan on me, turn on something totally silly like cartoons or a dumb comedy film, and just lose myself in levity for between 2 to 4 hours. It usually passes after that. Happens like clockwork between about 6-7 PM and 10-11:30 PM. Every day.

Find your distraction - it's a sanity-saver, truly essential therapy.

Great advice, Milos. I agree about the distraction and yes, I've been on a yo you pattern too. For most of last year, I was vaguely sick for months. About August I started to feel normal again and my weight stabilized. As soon as I did a colonoscopy prep a few weeks ago, I was back to square one. Only NOW do I feel some relief. Thank you for your kind words. I send out good healing thoughts and wishes to you..

Gusko

I am wondering about the pain at night and in the morning?

It sounds like night time reflux to me maybe.

Do you prop up at night at all while you sleep? That may stop your problem.

Newbie here! Just recently diagnosed with gastritis after my endoscopy and months of nausea, stomach pain, emergency bathroom runs, etc.! I have done my best to look through nearly every post up here on the board to familarize myself with this ailment and I have to say it has been a godsend. The doctors were not as much help as I had hoped and the most useful information I have received has been through this forum- so a very big "thank you" to you all- you've made me feel less alone on this journey.

I am at the banana, rice and potato phase- with a little bit of chicken and ginger water (boiled water over fresh ginger). That is all I can handle at the moment. Had a little setback today after taking my vitamin C tablet for the first time since this started. I should have known better. So back to absolute basics once again. I am taking Laprazole (PPI) 30 mg twice a day but after hours of research on here, I've decided to try and move away from this. I have ordered PepZin GI as many of you have recommended but am wondering what I should be pairing this with in lieu of the PPI? From what I've understood I could move to Zantac and PepZin GI to help me further? Any advice, info or questions would be gladly welcomed. I have tried not to ask any questions that have already been answered on this forum but I suppose I just want confirmation that I am on the right track!

Again, a big thank you to everyone on here- you've been wonderful! Wishing everyone much strength and better days ahead...

Karolina

Hi carolina, welcome aboard! I'm pretty new here as well - maybe post your question as a separate post rather than on this (lengthy) thread? Lots of people will chime in with advice - you will probably hear that Zantac is a good/better alternative to a PPI, if you can handle not being on a PPI. I'm on Nexium for now to control my symptoms, but am hoping to move to Zantac and PepZin GI soon. Take care - I know how frustrating it is to be on such a limited diet, and still have pain.

Thank you for the support and advice- I'll do as you suggest and start a new thread! Sending you strength and positive energy...